Laguna girls’ hoops off to best start in school history

Having gotten off to the best start in program history, the Laguna Beach High girls’ basketball team was looking to win its seventh straight game out of the gate of the 2012-13 season Wednesday when the Breakers traveled to face Anaheim.

A fast start to the nonleague game sent Laguna in the right direction, but the course of the game took a change when turnovers and missed defensive rotations derailed the Breakers, who eventually dropped a 49-44 decision to the Colonists.

The Breakers couldn’t build on an early eight-point lead, and had no answer for Anaheim point guard Lara Maceren, who scored a game-high 25 points. Fifteen of those points came on five three-pointers, and four more, as a result of Maceren being fouled in the act of shooting from three-point range.

“We had schemed their offensive sets in practice this week, but we didn’t execute our defensive game plan as we had worked on in practice,” Laguna Coach Mark Lewis said.

Jackie Cenan topped Laguna with 13 points and Jane Wallin had 10 points. The Breakers led, 20-17, at the half, and still were on top, 36-34, heading into the fourth quarter.

“Though tonight’s loss was disappointing, we are still off to a great start, in fact the best start in school history for girls’ basketball,” Lewis said of his team’s 6-1 record.

Laguna’s hot start to the season included winning the Oxford Academy Patriot Tournament which concluded Saturday . The Breakers easily won two pool-play games to advance to the tournament semifinals, where they knocked off previously undefeated Ocean View, 42-35. The win sent them to Saturday’s championship game against another undefeated team, Western of Anaheim. The Breakers took the title by defeating the Pioneers in overtime, 54-48.

Cenan poured in 25 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in the title game. During the tournament play, she averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds and five steals, per game. The freshman was voted MVP of the tournament.

Also earning all-tourney honors were Kyra Humphries and Alexandra Lewis. Humphries and Lewis scored 10 and nine points, respectively, in the title game.

“The girls’ championship run through the Oxford tournament was great for the team and the program,” Lewis said. “I was so happy for the girls. They deserved that championship. They played hard, played well and were able to enjoy the success for which they have worked so hard, endured so much, and waited for so long.

“We learned that when we play to our full potential, we are a good ball club capable of competing in and winning every game on our schedule.”

The Breakers play a 5:30 p.m. nonleague game Saturday at Capistrano Valley Christian. Next week, they play host to Saddleback Valley Christian in a 6 p.m. nonleague game Thursday at Dugger Gym.

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Boys’ Basketball

The Breakers dropped their first two pool-play games this week at the Irvine World News/Gary Raya Classic.

In its tournament opener Tuesday , Laguna fell, 52-42, at Woodbridge. Noah Blanton and Alec Wulff both scored 10 points in the loss.

On Wednesday, the Breakers were handed a 60-52 loss by Tesoro at Northwood High. Cole Kesler led Laguna in scoring with 14 points. Wulff and Jake Dalke both scored 10 points.

The tournament continues Friday and Saturday, culminating with consolation and championship game action on Saturday.

michael.sciacca@latimes.com

Twitter: @MikeSciacca